Apparatus for knitting and separating hosiery articles

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for separating articles, such as hosiery, which are successively knit as &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;string work&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and joined together by breaking thread. Clamping means is operable from the pattern means of the knitting machine for clamping spaced apart portions above and below the breaking thread juncture and means is provided for applying a lateral force to the fabric between the clamped portions, the force being sufficient to rupture the breaking threads of the separating courses and to thereby separate the leading hose from the next hose.

United States Patent 1m Grizzle 1 Sept. 4, 1973 APPARATUS FOR KNITTING AND SEPARATING HOSIERY ARTICLES [76] Inventor: Clyde W. Grizzle, Rt. No. 1,

Acworth, Ga.

[22] Filed: Apr. 15, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 816,192

[52] US. Cl. 66/147, 225/101 [51] Int. Cl D04b 35/00 [58] Field of Search 66/147; 225/100,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 703,237 2/1954 Great Britain 225/105 Primary ExaminerRobert R. Mackey AttorneyParrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for separating articles, such as hosiery, which are successively knit as string work and joined together by breaking thread. Clamping means is operable from the pattern means of the knitting machine for clamping spaced apart portions above and below the breaking thread juncture and means is provided for applying a lateral force to the fabric between the clamped portions, the force being sufficient to rupture the breaking threads of the separating courses and to thereby separate the leading hose from the next hose.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures mcmcuw 4 ms 3,756,044 SHEH 2 0F 3 INVENTOR. YDE- W. G\2\ZZLE- ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR KNITTING AND SEPARATING IIOSIERY ARTICLES This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for separating knitted articles as they are withdrawn from a knitting machine and more particularly to a method and apparatus for separating connected hosiery articles which are successively knit as string work on a circular hosiery knitting machine.

On double cylinder circular knitting machines, it is the common practice to knit hosiery, such as half hose, in a continuous manner in what is known as string work with the trailing end of one hosiery article being joined to the leading end of the next successive hosiery article by a plurality of courses of loose or elongated stitches which are knit with a pull or draw thread. It has long been the common practice to sever the pull thread and to draw it out by hand to thereby separate the hosiery articles.

Several different types of devices have been proposed for attachment to the knitting machine for automatically separating the hosiery articles as they are withdrawn from the machine and to thereby eliminate the manual separation of the hosiery articles. However, these devices have not been entirely satisfactory and have not been put into widespread commercial use for various reasons.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for automatically separating hosiery articles as they are withdrawn from a circular knitting machine and which apparatus may be economically produced and easily attached to existing circular machines without extensive modification of the machine.

In accordance with the present invention, the separating apparatus is positioned below the conventional draw down rolls and the operation of the separating apparatus does not vary the uniform tension which is being applied to the fabric by the draw down rolls. The hosiery separating apparatus generally includes means for clamping the connected hosiery articles at spaced apart points above and below separation courses which are knit of a relatively weak breaking thread. Means is operatively associated with the clamping means for applying a sufficient force laterally against the clamped fabric to rupture the breaking thread and to thereby separate the hosiery articles.

More specifically, the present separating apparatus includes first and second tubular clamping elements supported beneath the draw down rolls and on opposite sides of the path of movement of the connected hosiery articles. The clamping elements have corresponding inner ends which are adapted to matingly engage and clamp the tubular fabric at spaced apart points as the juncture is positioned therebetween. A force applying plate-like member cooperates with and operates in timed relationship with the clamping elements to apply a sufficiently strong lateral force to the clamped. fabric to rupture the breaking threads and to separate the hosiery articles.

Some of the objects of theinvention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a fragmentary isometric view of the lower portion of a double cylinder circular knitting machine of the Komet type and illustrating the present separating apparatus associated therewith;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a somewhat schematic isometric view of the separating apparatus, removed from the knitting machine and illustrating the manner in which the tubular fabric is clamped above and below the juncture between adjacent hosiery articles;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating the manner in which the lateral force is applied to separate the hosiery articles along the juncture while spaced apart points are being held by the clamping means;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section view taken substantially along the line 66 in FIG. 3 and illustrating the manner in which the inner ends of the clamping elements clampingly engage the tubular fabric above and below the juncture connecting the hosiery articles; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the electrical control circuit and the pneumatic operating system for actuating the separating apparatus at the proper time.

The conventional parts of the knitting machine shown in FIG. 1 will first be described, however, it is to be understood that the present separating apparatus is not limited to use with this particular type of knitting machine. The machine is supported on legs 10 which are connected at their upper ends to a base plate 11. A pattern drum I2 is supported for rotation on the frame of the machine and is moved in response to conventional pattern lugs carried by a pattern chain 13. The pattern chain 13 is moved in a conventional step by step manner and controls the various operations of the knitting machine and normally makes one complete cycle during the knitting of each hosiery article, as indicated at I-I-l and I-I-2 in FIG. 2.

The successive hosiery articles are joined together by a plurality of loose courses which are knit of a relatively weak yarn that will rupture or break before the body yarns to form a separation line or juncture, indicated at P in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6. The loose courses along the juncture P are also preferably knit of a soluble yarn so that the remaining portions will dissolve out when the articles are subjected to the usual dyeing and finishing treatment.

Fluted draw down rolls I4 rotate with the needle cylinder, not shown, so that the tubular fabric is drawn downwardly under a uniform tension in the usual manner. The draw down rolls 14 are supported on upstanding brackets 15 which are fixed to a drive gear 16 (FIG. 2) mounted for rotation in the base plate 11 and rotated in timed relationship to the needle cylinder in the conventional manner. The draw down rolls 14 are resiliently urged against opposite sides of the fabric in a conventional manner, not showmand are rotated by means of a cam on the base plate 11 and a conventional pawl mechanism to apply uniform downward tension on the continuously knit tubular fabric.

The separating apparatus of the present invention generally includes clamping means, broadly indicated at C in FIGS. 3 and 4, lateral force applying or rupturing means, broadly indicated at F, and actuating means, broadly indicated at A which is operable in response to movement of the pattern chain 13 for operating the clamping means C and the force applying means F when the juncture P reaches the proper position. The separating apparatus is suitably supported beneath the base plate 11 and includes a channel beam 20, one end of which extends outwardly beyond the rear edge of the base plate 11 (FlG. l). Bolts 21 extend through the base plate 11, spacers 22 and the channel beam to support the same in spaced relationship below the base plate 11 (FIG. 2).

The clamping means C comprises a first tubular clamping element 25 which is supported by bolts 26, 27 (FlG. 2) in a fixed position and in spaced relationship beneath the channel beam 20. The outer end of the tubular clamping element 25 is open and horizontally aligned and opposed guide grooves 30 extend along opposite sides of the inner surface of the element 25, for purposes to be presently described. The inner end of the tubular clamping element 25 is provided with resilient means for engaging the fabric, in the form of an O- ring 32, which is inset in a suitable groove positioned inwardly from the outer extremity of the inner end of the clamping element 25 (FIG. 6).

The clamping means C also includes a second clamping element which is generally tubular and the longitudinal axis of which is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tubular element 25 (H0. 2). The inner end of the clamping element 35 is adapted to mate with and move into clamping engagement with the inner end of the tubular element 25. The inner end of the tubular element 35 is also provided with resilient fabric clamping means, in the form of an O-ring 36, which is positioned in a groove set inwardly from the end of the tubular element 35 (FIG. 6). The tubular element 35 has a conical opening 37 extending inwardly from its inner end and communicating with a longitudinal bore extending to the outer end.

The lateral force applying means F comprises a generally paddle-shaped plate member 40 having a circular fabric passage opening 41 formed in a medial portion thereof and serving as a fabric guide. The portion of the plate 40 defining the rearward portion of the opening 41 serves to apply force against the clamped fabric, as the plate 40 is moved forwardly in a manner to be presently described. Opposite parallel side edges of the plate 40 are positioned for sliding movement in the guide grooves 30 to maintain the plate 40 in a horizontal position. The rear end of the plate 40 is fixed in the forward end of a piston rod 42 which extends into a fluid operated cylinder 43. The piston rod 42 and cylinder 43 comprise part of the actuating means A. The cylinder 43 is suitably supported on the channel beam 20, as by bolts 44 (FIG. 2).

The second tubular clamping element 35 is supported for sliding movement on the forward end of the piston rod 42 and is normally urged forwardly by a compression spring 45 so that the conical opening 37 engages the inclined rear edge portions of the plate 40. The forward end of the compression spring 45 surrounds a hub portion on the outer end of the tubular element 35 (FIG. 2) and the rear end surrounds a collar 46 which is supported for longitudinal adjustment along the piston rod 42 to thereby vary the compressive force of the spring 45 against the tubular clamping element 35.

A first funnel-shaped guide 50 is held in position above the clamping means C by a strap 51 (FIG. 2) which is suitably secured to the bolt 27 and serves to guide the tubular fabric downwardly through the opening 41 in the plate 40 as the tubular fabric passes downwardly from the draw down rolls 14. A second funnelshaped guide 55 is supported beneath the clamping means C by a strap 56 which is supported on a spacer 57 and a bolt 58, the upper end of which is threadably supported in the lower surface of the first tubular clamping element 25 (FIG. 2).

The fluid cylinder 43 has a piston 59 (FIG. 2) supported for longitudinal movement therein and connected to the rear end of the piston rod 42. The piston 59 is preferably operated by air pressure but may be operated by other suitable fluid means, if desired. Fluid lines 60, 61 connect opposite ends of the cylinder 43 (FIG. 7) to one side of an operator valve 62 having a selector valve, schematically illustrated at 63. A fluid line 64 connects the other side of the operator valve 62 with a suitable source of air pressure, schematically illustrated at 65. A compression spring 66 normally urges the selector valve 63 to the position shown in FIG. 7 so that the fluid pressure is normally directed through the line 61 to maintain the piston rod 42 in the rearward or withdrawn position so that the opening 41 in the plate 40 is aligned between the corresponding inner ends of the tubular clamping elements 25, 35. The clamping elements 25, 35 are axially aligned and their inner ends are normally spaced from opposite sides of the tubular fabric as it is being drawn downwardly therebetween.

A normally open microswitch, schematically indicated at 70 in FIG. 7. is suitably supported on the base plate 1 1 and adjacent one side of the pattern chain 13. A pattern lug 71 extends outwardly from one side of the proper link of the pattern chain 13 to engage and close the microswitch 70, when the separating apparatus is to be operated. The switch 70 is suitably connected to a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown, by wires 72, 73 and wires 74, 75 connect the microswitch 70 to an electromagnet, schematically illustrated at 76, associated with the operator valve 62.

The pattern lug 71 is positioned to engage and close the microswitch 70 when the juncture P is positioned at substantially the level of the force applying plate 40. However, this timing is not critical as the separating apparatus may be operated with the juncture P in any level, as long as it is between the clamping elements 25, 35. When the microswitch 70 is closed (FIG. 7) the selector valve 63 is moved to the left, against the force of the compression spring 66, so that air pressure then enters the line 60, thereby moving the piston 59 and piston rod 42 forwardly at a rapid rate to first clampingly engage the tubular fabric at spaced apart positions above and below the juncture P, as shown in FIG. 6. Then, with further forward movement of the piston rod 42 and plate 40, the force on the compression spring 45 is increased and sufficient lateral force is applied against the fabric, by the fabric engaging portion of the opening 41, to rupture the breaking threads forming the courses at the juncture P between adjacent hosiery articles to separate the lowermost hosiery article H-l from the next adjacent hosiery article H-2, as shown in FlG. 4.

The microswitch 70 is maintained in a closed position only momentarily by the pattern lug 71, or by means of suitable relays in the electrical circuit, not shown, so that the piston rod 42 rapidly moves the force applying plate 40 from the normal position shown in FIG. 2 to the separating position shown in FIG. 4 and back to the normal position. As the piston rod 42 is retracted, the plate 40 first moves rearwardly to the position shown in FIG. 3 while the fabric is still clamped by the inner mating ends of the clamping members 25, 35 until the rear angular edges of the plate 40 engage the conical inner surface 37 of the tubular element 35 and draw it away from the clamping member 25 and to the position shown in FIG. 2 so that its inner end is positioned adjacent one side of the tubular fabric Thus, when the juncture P moves downwardly into position between the first and second clamping elements 25, 35, the initial portion of the forward stroke of the piston rod 42 moves the clamping element 35 against the fabric and presses it against the clamping element 25 to thereby clampingly engage the tubular fabric at spaced positions above and below the juncture P. With further forward movement of the piston rod 42, a lateral force is applied against'the tubular fabric by the fabric engaging portion of the opening 41 in the plate 40 and with sufficient force to rupture the breaking thread and thereby separate the upper end of the hosiery article H-l from the lower end of the hosiery article l-l-2, as shown in FIG. 4.

With the initial portion of rearward movement of the piston rod 42, from right to left in FIG. 4, the force applying plate 40 is first partially withdrawn along the tubular clamping element 25, and then the clamped fabric is released with further movement of the piston rod 42 so that the separated hosiery article H-l is free to fall downwardly through the funnel-shaped guide 55 and into a suitable container positioned beneath the knitting machine, not shown. If desired, the funnelshaped guide 55 may be connected to one end of a pneumatic conveyor tube and the separated hosiery article H-l may be pneumatically withdrawn and deposited in any suitable collection receptacle.

While the present separating apparatus is illustrated and described for use with a circular hosiery knitting machine for separating hosiery articles, the separating apparatus may be used with other types of knitting machines for separating other types of knitted articles.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

I claim:

1. In a circular knitting machine of the type adapted to produce a series of articles knitted in succession in continuous tubular form and being successively connected by relatively weak breaking threads to provide junctures therebetween, said knitting machine including pattern means for controlling the knitting of the articles; the combination therewith of means operatively associated with said knitting machine for separating said articles at said juncture and comprising means for clampingly engaging the series of articles v at spaced-apart positions at opposite sides of said juncture and comprising a first clamping element supported adjacent one side of the path of travel of the series of articles and a second clamping element positioned on the opposite side of the path of travel of the series of articles from said first clamping element and moveable relative to said first clamping element to clamp the series of articles therebetween, said clamping elements having cooperating clamping faces to engage and clamp the series of knitted articles therebetween both above and below said juncture therein,

means operatively associated with said clamping means for engaging and applying a lateral force to the series of articles between the clamped portions, the lateral force being sufficient to rupture the breaking thread of said juncture to thereby separate the articles, said force applying means comprising a plate member moveable relative to said clamping elements; and

actuating means responsive to said pattern means and connected to said second clamping element and said plate member for simultaneously moving said second clamping element into clamping engagement with said first clamping element to clamp the articles therebetween and said plate member into engagement with the series of articles and for moving said plate member relative to said clamping elements to apply a lateral force to the series of articles and to rupture the breaking thread at the juncture between the articles.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a fluid operated cylinder, and a piston rod extending outwardly from said cylinder and being forwardly and rearwardly moveable thereby, and wherein said plate member is fixed at one end of said piston rod and includes a fabric engaging portion normally positioned adjacent the side of the tubular fabric opposite said first clamping element.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said second clamping element is supported for sliding movement on said piston rod, and wherein said clamping means includes resilient means in engagement with said second clamping element for normally urging the same forwardly on said piston rod and against said plate member whereby said second clamping member is urged into resilient engagement with said first clamping member during the first portion of the forward movement of said piston rod and said fabric engaging portion of said plate member applies the lateral force to a tubular fabric with further forward movement of said piston rod.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first and second clamping elements comprise respective first and second tubular members positioned adjacent opposite sides of the path of travel of the continuous tubular fabric, each of said tubular members having a diameter greater than the width of said tubular fabric and being axially aligned with each other, and each of said tubular members having inner mating ends for clamping spaced upper and lower portions of the tubular fabric therebetween.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein resilient means is provided on the inner mating ends of each of said first and second tubular clamping members for engagement with opposite sides of the tubular fabric clamped therebetween.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said fabric engaging portion of said force applying plate member is defined by a fabric passage opening in the medial portion of said plate member, said plate member including parallel opposite side edges and a leading edge portion positioned in said first tubular member, said first tubular member having horizontally aligned and longitudinally extending grooves along opposite sides thereof for guiding said parallel opposite side edges of said plate member to prevent rotation thereof and maintain the same in a horizontal plane.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 including first said second funnel-shaped guide members supported respectively above and beneath said force applying plate member for guiding the tubular fabric between said first and second tubular members and through the fabric passage opening in said plate member. 

1. In a circular knitting machine of the type adapted to produce a series of articles knitted in succession in continuous tubular form and being successively connected by relatively weak breaking threads to provide junctures therebetween, said knitting machine including pattern means for controlling the knitting of the articles; the combination therewith of means operatively associated with said knitting machine for separating said articles at said juncture and comprising means for clampingly engaging the series of articles at spacedapart positions at opposite sides of said juncture and comprising a first clamping element supported adjacent one side of the path of travel of the series of articles and a second clamping element positioned on the opposite side of the path of travel of the series of articles from said first clamping element and moveable relative to said first clamping element to clamp the series of articles therebetween, said clamping elements having cooperating clamping faces to engage and clamp the series of knitted articles therebetween both above and below said juncture therein, means operatively associated with said clamping means for engaging and applying a lateral force to the series of articles between the clamped portions, the lateral force being sufficient to rupture the breaking thread of said juncture to thereby separate the articles, said force applying means comprising a plate member moveable relative to said clamping elements; and actuating means responsive to said pattern means and connected to said second clamping element and said plate member for simultaneously moving said second clamping element into clamping engagement with said first clamping element to clamp the articles therebetween and said plate member into engagement with the series of articles and for moving said plate member relative to said clamping elements to apply a lateral force to the series of articles and to rupture the breaking thread at the juncture between the articles.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a fluid operated cylinder, and a piston rod extending outwardly from said cylinder and being forwardly and rearwardly moveable thereby, and wherein said plate member is fixed at one end of said piston rod and includes a fabric engaging portion normally positioned adjacent the side of the tubular fabric opposite said first clamping element.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said second clamping element is supported for sliding movement on said piston rod, and wherein said clamping means includes resilient means in engagement with said second clamping element for normally urging the same forwardly on said piston rod and against said plate member whereby said second clamping member is urged iNto resilient engagement with said first clamping member during the first portion of the forward movement of said piston rod and said fabric engaging portion of said plate member applies the lateral force to a tubular fabric with further forward movement of said piston rod.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said first and second clamping elements comprise respective first and second tubular members positioned adjacent opposite sides of the path of travel of the continuous tubular fabric, each of said tubular members having a diameter greater than the width of said tubular fabric and being axially aligned with each other, and each of said tubular members having inner mating ends for clamping spaced upper and lower portions of the tubular fabric therebetween.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein resilient means is provided on the inner mating ends of each of said first and second tubular clamping members for engagement with opposite sides of the tubular fabric clamped therebetween.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said fabric engaging portion of said force applying plate member is defined by a fabric passage opening in the medial portion of said plate member, said plate member including parallel opposite side edges and a leading edge portion positioned in said first tubular member, said first tubular member having horizontally aligned and longitudinally extending grooves along opposite sides thereof for guiding said parallel opposite side edges of said plate member to prevent rotation thereof and maintain the same in a horizontal plane.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 6 including first said second funnel-shaped guide members supported respectively above and beneath said force applying plate member for guiding the tubular fabric between said first and second tubular members and through the fabric passage opening in said plate member. 